Identification tag



Dec. 23, 1958 B. M. HINES IDENTIFICATION TAG Filed Sept. 4, 1958 allINVENTOR.

A T TORNE rs.

United States atent IDENTIFICATION TAG Benjamin M. Hines, Fairfield,Conn. Application September 4, 1958, Serial No. 758,976

3 Claims. ((31. 40-2) This invention relates to identification tags forarticles such as keys.

Identification tags have been used for various articles including keys.However, if keys lost with such an identifying tag are to be returned tothe owner by a finder, the finder usually must deliver the keyspersonally to the owner or package them for mailing if the address hasnot been obliterated. In view of the inconveniences involved, and theillegibility of such tags after a short period of use, it often happensthat keys even if found are not returned.

Attempts have been made to provide for the return of lost keys to theirowners. One such solution practiced on a wide scale involves thedistribution by an organization of key tags bearing the organizationsaddress. Each such tag also bears a code number (replicas of automobilelicense numbers have been used) and the organization maintains an indexof all such code numbers and the owners assigned that issued tag. Anarrangement with the post oflice whereby the postage fee is prepaidfacilitates their return to the organization. There the identificationof the owner is made and the keys are finally packaged and mailed to theowner.

It is apparent that the above solution to the lost key problem entailedunnecessary complexity and expense and furthermore prevented theexpeditious return of lost keys to their owner.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anidentification tag construction which protects mailing information andyet facilitates prompt and direct return by mail of the identifiedsubject matter with minimum effort and expense.

It is another object of the invention to provide an identification tagof the above character which is of such size that it may be convenientlycarried in a pocket or purse and yet facilitate a prompt return of thearticle to which it may be attached.

These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by providingan identification tag of plastic, metal, impregnated paper or acombination thereof comprising cooperating closure and casing memberssecured together and yet readily disassembled. The closure member isfastened by a key chain or similar element to a flexible mailing tag.The casing rnember forms a receptacle for the flexible tag, therebyconcealing and protecting it within the identification tag assembly. Theidentification tag when found may be easily disassembled by removing thecasing member, and then the remaining assembly may be deposited in anymail box for return to the owner.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view in perspective of an identification tagconstructed in accordance with the invention as.

adapted for use with a key chain; 1

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view in elevation of the identification tagof Fig. 1 in its assembled form;

Fig. 3 is a section of the tag shown in Fig. 2 and taken courage promptmailing by a finder.

2 along the line. 3-3 lookingin the direction of the arrows; and g Fig.4 is a perspective view of the assembled identification tag of theinvention having a portion cutv away to reveal one modification thereof.

Referring now to. an illustrative. embodiment of the.

invention with particular reference to the drawings, assembled, closure.and casing members 10. and 11 carry in a chamber'13 a. flexible mailingtag. 17. A tongue 12 projecting, from. one, edge of the. member 1 0;closes the chamber 13 and holds the tag'assembly together.

A pair of apertures 15 in the closure member 10 leads to a slot 14extending symmetrically through the tongue 12 into the closure member10. A tab 18 on one end r of the flexible tag 17 is provided with apunched aperture 19 reinforced by a pair of gummed rings 20. When thetab 18 is slipped into the slot 14, an attaching element such as a keychain 21 is threaded through the aligned apertures 15 and 19 to securethe address tag 17 to the closure member 10.

Preferably, the members 10 and 11 are each formed in one piece as, forexample, by the molding of a suitable material such as plastic, metal,or the like, with the tongue 12 fitted tightly into the opening to thechamber 13. In this manner, the two members 10 and 11 are frictionallyattached but may be readily separated.

In use, suitable information, such as the name and address of the ownerof the keys, is placed on the mailing tag 17 accompanied by appropriatepostage to en With the tab 18 secured in place within the slot 14 by thechain 21, the flexible tag 17 is folded, as shown in Fig. 3; and thecasing 11 positioned to enclose the folded tag 17 and slipped over thetongue 12. The assembled unit is relatively small to facilitate its useon keys in pockets or handbags. In addition, the mailing tag iseffectively protected from wear and obliteration by the casing 11 andyet the only effort required on the part of a finder to return the tagand attached article is to remove the casing 11, which may then bediscarded, and deposit the remaining assembly in any mailbox.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings there is shown a modified arrangement forsecuring the members 10 and 11 together in which small knobs 22 on eachside of the tongue 12 engage suitably located recesses 23 on theinterior surfaces of the chamber 13. Of course the positions of theknobs 22 and the recesses 23 may be reversed, if desired.

The above-described embodiments of the invention are illustrative onlyand modifications thereof will occur to those skilled in the art.Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the specific apparatusdescribed herein but is to be defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An identification tag comprising a casing member defining a chamberopen at one end, a closure member, a tongue extending from one edge ofthe closure member into the open end of the chamber and fitted closelytherewith to hold the members together, a slot formed in the tongue andextending therethrough into the closure member, a flexible mailing taglocated in the chamber, at least a portion of one end of the mailing bagextending from the chamber into the slot, an opening through saidmailing tag portion, apertures in the closure member communicating withthe slot and in alignment with the opening in the mailing tag, and anattaching element passing through the apertures and tag opening tosecure the mailing tag to the closure member.

2. An identification tag comprising .a casing member defining a chamberopen at one end, a closure member, a tongue extending from one edge ofthe closure mem- 2,eea,12o I ber into 'the open end of the chamber andfitted closely therewith to hold the members together, a slot formed inthe tongue and extending therethrough into the closure member, a.flexible mailing tag located in the chamber, a tab on one end of themailing tag extending from the chamber into the slot, an opening throughsaid tab, apertures in the closure member communicating with the slotand in alignment with the opening in the tab, and an attaching elementpassing through the apertures and tab opening to secure the mailing tagto the closure member.

3. An identification tag comprising a casing member including two narrowwalls joined by two side walls to form a chamber, an end wall closingthe chamber at one end, the chamber being open at its other end, a flatclosure member, a tongue extending from one edge of the closure memberinto the open end of the chamber and fitted closely therewith to holdthe members together, a slot formed in the tongue and extendingtherethrough into the closure member, a flexible mailing tag folded andlocated in the chamber, a tab on one end of the mailing tag extendingfrom one end of the chamber into the slot, an opening through said tab,apertures in the closure member communicating with the slot and inalignment with the opening in the tab, and an attaching element passingthrough the apertures and tab opening to secure the mailing tag to theclosure member.

No references cited.

